Performance Trends in Insulating Glass DOE Requires Glass Certification In 2008 the Department of Energy moved to require insulating glass certification for all glass used in Energy Star labeled fenestration products. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) accepted this challenge and effective July 1, 2008 required Insulating Glass (IG) certification in accordance with NFRC 706. Insulating Glass Certification (IGC) programs are recognized by NFRC and administered by the Certification Policy Committee (CPC). IGC programs must meet the requirements of ISO Guide 65 or ISO 9001, use laboratories accredited to ISO 17025, and to test and verify compliance to ASTM E2190 (or CGSB 12.8) at least one time every two years. Industry Impacted by Higher Failure Rates The following combination of factors resulted in an immediate increase in IG failures: -First time exposure to the rigors of ASTM E2190 performance testing by manufacturers of IG. -More challenging testing requirements of ASTM E2190 in comparison to previous ASTM E773/E774 standard which expired in 2002. -Increased use of higher performance glazing bringing with it more coated glass, more high performance spacer systems, more internal components, more triple glaze units, etc. September 2013 Gas filled testing, which requires a minimum of 90% initial gas content retention and 80% gas content retention after E2190 testing, has tripled in quantity since 2008, contributing to the complexity of IG systems and increasing risk of not meeting the requirements of E2190. Factors Contributing to Variability in Insulating Glass Performance Five IGC programs are recognized by NFRC. The included chart shows wide variability in the various certification programs. Insulating Glass Failure Rates from 2001 to 2012 Failure rates increased nearly 60% between 2008 and 2009. 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 % of Sample Submied Increasing Percentage of Gas Filled Units Submitted for Testing IGC Comparison Chart Not all insulating glass certification programs are created equal. 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 % Failure Rate Fog Seal Gas Seal/Fog Seal/Gas REQUIREMENTS IGC #1 IGC #2 IGC #3 IGC #4 IGC #5 ISO 9001 √ √ √ √ √ Guide 65 √ √ √ Cerfy to E2190 √ √ √ √ CGSB 12.8 √ Board of governors √ Witness sample fabricaon √ √ √